Discover Cloud Computing and its Benefits

Cloud computing is helping businesses and people weather the ongoing storm caused by the global pandemic. Companies are seizing on Cloud technology as the key enabler to complete their digital transformation, and the COVID pandemic has further accelerated this mandate.

Cloud is becoming a top C-suite agenda item as businesses are transitioning from a piece-meal approach to a more holistic end-to-end digital transformation with Cloud at its core. The winners of tomorrow will be the ones that navigate this change rapidly, make the right choices and engage with the appropriate partners to augment their own capabilities.

Gone are the days of the local server. Sure you may still have one as a backup. You may even have rooms filled with local servers, but cloud computing is the way of the future, without a doubt, and it will change how you run your business. The cloud is a powerhouse built to run businesses effectively and efficiently, so it’s not surprising that the computing it provides has its benefits.

When the internet was in its infancy the word ‘cloud’ was used as a metaphor to describe how the complex telephone networks connected. Now, many people and organizations refer to it as ‘THE cloud’ but it’s not a single entity, and it doesn’t exist in one just place. So, what exactly is it?

Cloud is a model of computing where servers, networks, storage, development tools, and even applications (apps) are enabled through the internet. Instead of organizations having to make major investments to buy equipment, train staff, and provide ongoing maintenance, some or all of these needs are handled by a cloud service provider.

There are five key characteristics of a cloud computing environment, as defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):

1. Internet Access: With a public cloud environment, users “plug into” the data and applications via an internet connection giving anytime, anywhere access.
2. Measured Service: Cloud is often pay-as-you-go, where you only pay for what you use. Think about how a utility company meters how much water, electricity, or gas is used and charges based on consumption. The cloud is the same.
3. On-Demand Self-Service: Services can be requested and provisioned quickly, without the need for manual setup and configuration.
4. Shared Resource Pooling: Cloud often uses the multi-tenancy model. This means a single application is shared among several users. So, rather than creating a copy of the application for each user, several users, or “tenants” can configure the application to their specific needs.
5. Rapid Elasticity: Cloud platforms are elastic. An organization can scale its resource usage levels up or down quickly and easily as needs change.

With worldwide cloud spending predicted to reach $565B by 2021, it’s never been more vital that businesses understand and fully embrace the possibilities this tech can unlock.

Before cloud computing, companies had to store all their data and software on their own hard drives and servers. The bigger the company, the more storage they needed. This way of treating data is not scalable at speed. For example, if word started spreading about your business and you suddenly had a lot of online orders, your servers would probably crash. Good business meant hard work for the IT department.

It’s not just businesses that benefit from cloud computing. The cloud has transformed our lives as individuals as well. Many of us use cloud services every day. When we update our status on social media, binge a new streaming series, or check our bank accounts we are most likely using applications that are hosted by cloud services. These apps are accessed through an internet connection rather than installed on our hard drives or devices.

Today, cloud technology means that companies can scale and adapt at speed and scale, accelerate innovation, drive business agility, streamline operations, and reduce costs. Not only can this help propel companies through the current crisis, it can lead to increased, sustainable growth.

In essential, cloud computing is all about moving the essential systems and resources of your business to a remote server. Some might think this a risky move, but for most IT leaders, a cloud-based backup and storage solution is essential if you want your business to improve in not only one but several aspects.

Although the previously discussed characteristics are enough reasons to move to the cloud, there are more specific benefits companies will enjoy when implementing cloud computing.

The Cloud Has Less Operational Issues

Cloud computing may seem complicated, but it actually has way fewer issues than other infrastructures. Since the cloud runs on its own servers through a company whose only job is to make the cloud functional and bug-free, it’s usually a whole lot more reliable than your own, on-location server.

In fact, the minute a small bug arises, the company that runs your cloud network is probably already looking for a fix. If this was your remote server, you would have to file a claim with tech support and have the department send someone down to look at it.

The average server owner is way more likely to let small issues escape them (since they are, you know, busy running a business). These issues turn into larger ones that take time and money to fix.

The Cloud Actually Saves You Money

One of the best parts of the cloud is that it actually saves you money in the long run. If you don’t have to hire a tech support team to fix server issues, well, that’s already cash in your pocket.

In addition, cloud computing is scalable. Traditional servers require expensive upgrades that cost a lot upfront. If your business doesn’t expand as much as you had hoped, that’s money you’ve wasted. Cloud service providers usually let you scale up and down seamlessly. Buy more when you need to and save when you don’t.

The Cloud Requires Less Capital

It’s a known fact that one of the hardest parts of running a startup is coming up with the capital to make your business model work and pay your employees. Server costs can be astronomical and a huge investment.

One of cloud computing’s major advantages is that it requires less startup costs than a regular, local server. You simply pay for the amount of storage you need per month.

Since it’s your cloud computing service’s job to upgrade your system with new patches, this happens automatically. You don’t have to spend money on fancy, time-consuming hardware upgrades. You get purely what you need, when you need it.

Cloud Computing Increases Collaboration Amongst Your Team

According to the Cloud Security Alliance, 79% companies receive regular requests from users to buy more cloud applications with file sharing and collaboration being one of the top-requested cloud services.

This is because cloud computing is made for collaboration and file-sharing. Cloud computing lets your team edit files in real time and access them from anywhere in the world. Your team can be anywhere in the world and still work together.

Cloud Computing Reduces Your Carbon Footprint

Cloud computing requires less physical servers. This allows companies to downsize their data centers (or completely get rid of them). Less servers means less resources used. Plus, the increased ability to share files requires way fewer printouts among your team, saving the planet and saving you money.

A study by Microsoft found that cloud storage can be between 79-93% more energy efficient than a traditional on-premise data centre.

The Cloud Is Always On

Have you ever made the unfortunate mistake of forgetting an important file at work. May be your flash drive didn’t properly save it or may be your email to yourself never went through.

You don’t have to rush all the way back to the office to grab something from your server if you are on the cloud. The cloud is always on, so if you have an Internet connection you can get the applications you need from literally anywhere.

The Cloud Gives Employees a Better Work-Life Balance

Remember the importance of increasing collaboration and how the cloud is always on? Well, one of the many cloud computing benefits is directly related. Cloud computing creates a better work-life balance for your employees.

If employees can work from anywhere, they can quickly run home when school lets out and finish their tasks while spending time with their kids. They can even work from their tropical vacation. Happier employees make for a better workplace.

The Cloud Has Better Security

Cloud computing offers more security than local servers. You never have to worry about losing critical data and business applications because of a natural disaster or full-on computer meltdown.

Some cloud providers even back up data to additional remote servers so data loss just won’t happen. Cloud providers also perform more regular security audits than you probably would on your local server. This makes it airtight and your sensitive information is kept under wraps.

The Cloud Makes It Easy To Control Your Documents

Document control is necessary to keep a secure business. You never know what can happen if a document gets into the wrong hands, even if it’s just the hands of an untrained employee.

Cloud computing allows you to easily pick out which documents can be edited, viewed and shared by which users. It also allows for real-time collaboration so you don’t have 100 versions of the same file floating around. One copy is a whole lot easier to control.

Simple Implementation Process

A lot of people seem to think that migrating to the cloud is a rather complicated process.

While there are certain steps that need to be followed, implementing it is not actually as complicated as when you need to install an onsite server. The process should indeed be planned, but it’s not really something you should worry about. In fact, cloud migration can be simple and easy as long as you use your teams or hosts to help you complete the task.

Greater Integration

A cloud-based business solution aids in easy integration, giving small businesses the freedom to choose and integrate with different cloud-based providers. There are several specialized services which can be integrated with back-office operations even for small businesses. Therefore, small businesses can now easily manage their back-office needs at lesser costs.

Superior Disaster Recovery Solutions

Disaster recovery systems are one of the most important elements for businesses to run smoothly. Cloud-based security systems enable small businesses to have a secure data back-up and recovery solution in case of mishaps or other emergencies.

Be Better Than Your Competition

Lastly, cloud computing will give you the benefit of enjoying an edge over your competitors. As the cloud continues to increase in popularity, moving into it before your major competitors do will give you a big advantage, especially since there are still numerous companies that prefer to do things “the old way”. With this advantage and the great scaling opportunities, it won’t take long for your business to achieve its goals.

Cloud technology has been around for years, but it’s only more recently that it has really taken off amongst UAE businesses. More and more companies are expected to make the shift to benefit from increased, efficiency, productivity, improved customer satisfaction, less operating expenses, and increased data security.

Are you ready to see how cloud technology can accelerate your growth in 2020? Get in touch with us today and one of our experts will soon be in touch with non-chargeable expert advice.

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